A Virtual File Cabinet for Our Studies of Christian Origins & Hebraic Faith
From Claude.ai on 5/2/2026. – Prompt: Where in the bible do critical bible scholars say Jesus teaches there’s forgiveness outside of the temple and you don’t need atonement? Cite all sources inline. Response This is a rich and nuanced topic in critical biblical studies. Here’s a thorough overview of the key passages scholars point to, […]
Continue ReadingThis post contains the conversation at BSA titled “Jesus sacrifice” started on 2/23/26 by Kimberly Callaway, but first here is an extract from a Bart response to a question. “Technically, if God releases a person from the consequences of their sin based on the death of Jesus he is not “forgiving” (foregoing payment or penalty) […]
Continue ReadingNote that vs. 18-19 contradict the verses immediately before them. Vs. 18-19 are believed to be added to justify temple sacrifices as that is the funding mechanism for the Priests and Monarchy. Psalms 51:16-19 RSV 16 For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.17 […]
Continue ReadingFrom ChatGPT on 7/14/2025. Prompt: In ancient Israel and Judah, what did the priests do with the body of the sacrificed animals? Cite all sources. [Below the response is a Follow-up Prompt – How did the priest make money from the skins and meat? Cite all sources.] In ancient Israel and Judah, the treatment of […]
Continue ReadingMultiple Responses from Claude.ai in Explanatory Mode on 5/26/2025. All emphasis is mine. Prompt 1 – How do critical bible scholars contrast Paul’s views of a required sacrifice to atone for mankind’s sin with the many places in the Hebrew Bible where Yehweh says he does not ask for and does not want sacrifices? Cite […]
Continue ReadingClaude.ai Prompt 1 in Explanatory Mode – Did the killing of fish have any religious requirements? This is actually a fascinating question that reveals something quite profound about ancient Jewish religious thinking and how they categorized the natural world. To understand the religious requirements around fish, we need to think about how ancient Jewish law […]
Continue ReadingTwo responses from Claude.ae Sonnet 4 in Explanatory Mode. Below prompt 1 are: Prompt 1: Explain the everyday aspects of slaughtering animals for food and sacrifice. Were animals sacrificed by the average family or did the killing and blood letting have to be by priests in the time of Jesus. Cite all sources. Let me […]
Continue ReadingSee at the BSA Library: Child Sacrifice at Carthage—Religious Rite or Population Control? Archaeological evidence provides basis for a new analysis by Lawrence E. Stager, Samuel Wolff Opening paragraph – “Tophet” is a Biblical word. It is the name of a place that was on the south side of ancient Jerusalem in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, where […]
Continue ReadingSummary of “Smoke and Mirrors: The Sacrificial System” This document is a summary by Claude.ai of the transcript of the above lecture by Ross Nichols, examining the biblical sacrificial system. Ross argues that the sacrificial cult described in Leviticus was not originally ordained by God or authored by Moses, contrary to traditional orthodox views. He […]
Continue ReadingBelow is my script for the CU Preaching Lab at the end of the Preaching and Teaching course taught by Rob Couch in Spring 2025. My chosen scripture, upon which the sermon is to focus, is Micah 6:6-8. 2025-05-21, 6 am Good evening. I’m looking forward to sharing with you what I’ve learned about my […]
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